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AIBU?

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Is it unreasonable to be frustrated by a guest who says they eat anything when they actually don’t?

605 replies

funinthesun22 · 24/05/2026 09:24

My MIL is staying with us over the bank holiday. When I asked in advance what she’d like to eat, she said she eats anything and was happy to have whatever we usually have.

Friday dinner was a vegetable and chickpea but apparently she hates chickpeas and dried fruit in savoury food. Saturday breakfast (yogurt, granola, fruit) didn’t go down well either. I took her to M&S so she could pick things she’d enjoy, but she kept insisting she was fine and didn’t add anything to the basket until I said we’d planned tacos for dinner she said she didn’t know what that was and didn’t sound keen, so we bought an alternative dinner for her.

At lunch I made a salad with homemade dressing. She didn’t like the sound of the dressing and asked for salad cream which we didn’t have. I offered vinaigrette, olive oil, or mayo as alternatives but she turned them all down and had a plain salad. She also asked for a few additions we didn’t have, despite us having been in M&S two hours earlier offering to buy food. We’ve got a BBQ planned today and I’m hopeful now that I know more of her dislikes but still not entirely sure.

AIBU to find this frustrating? I genuinely don’t mind catering to a picky eater. I just need to know what she actually likes. But every time I ask, I get “I’ll eat whatever you’re having” when that’s clearly not the case.

OP posts:
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sittingonabeach · 24/05/2026 09:28

Has she not stayed with you before? What is DH doing about her food?

curiouscat1987 · 24/05/2026 09:27

Sometimes i find if people arent used to eating a certain thing or style of food, they may not even really have it on their radar. People tend to assume everyone is the same as them! So that being the case she probably considers herself not to be fussy, within the realm of what shes familiar with/aware of if that makes sense?

Doesnt make it less annoying for you! Keep offering alternatives as you get to know her preferences, you're being a great host :)

takealettermsjones · 24/05/2026 09:27

YANBU, I have a relative like this and it's incredibly frustrating. Like you I don't mind catering for different tastes or diets but I can't do that if they don't tell me! I know people will say that it's her problem, let her go hungry then, etc etc but it's not nice as a host when you genuinely want your guests to have a nice time and you feel like you're trying to do it with one hand tied behind your back.

BCBird · 24/05/2026 09:27

Let her son deal with her.
I

Octavia64 · 24/05/2026 09:26

My pils were like this.

said they ate anything and it turned out they meant any traditional meat and two veg meal

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